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NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering Research Project Write-up Title of Project : Protein trafficking in neurons and glia – brain specific roles for syntaxins Name of Supervisor : Tang Bor Luen Contact Details: Department of Biochemistry Blk MD7, Lab 01-05 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597 Phone: 6516-1049 E-mail : [email protected] Short Description Background Polarized membrane traffic to different domains of the neuron is well documented, and is required for both establishment and maintenance of neuronal polarity. Some soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins, which are key components of the eukaryotic membrane fusion machinery, are specifically brain-enriched. Syntaxin 12/13 is found in the endosome and is abundant in neurons. We have recently observed that the TGN-localized syntaxin 16 is specifically enriched in neuronal dendrites and found at Golgi outposts. Overexpression of syntaxin 16 mutants and siRNA-mediated silencing affects neurite growth of primary neurons. Project 1. To explore in detail the role for syntaxins 13 and 16 in terms of ultrastructural localization and dynamics of its associated carriers using live-imaging. 2. To understand the role for syntaxins 13 and 16 in neuritogenesis and axonal/dendritic protein/membrane traffic and brain development. 3. To identify and characterize functional interacting partners of these syntaxins in the brain. Reading Wang Y and Tang BL (2006) SNAREs in neurons--beyond synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Mol Membr Biol 23, 377-384.